Nancy Pelosi announces impeachment inquiry - what happens next?
House Speaker says that Trump ‘must be held accountable’

Democrats have opened a formal impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump over allegations he sought help from a foreign power to damage a political rival.
At a news conference, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that the House of Representatives will examine whether Trump sought Ukraine's help to smear former vice president Joe Biden, the frontrunner for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
Pelosi said the US president’s actions had “seriously violated the constitution” and amounted to “a betrayal of our national security”. She added: “The president must be held accountable. No one is above the law.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, Trump described the move as “witch hunt garbage” and “presidential harassment”.
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy backed the president when he said that Pelosi “does not speak for America when it comes to this issue,” adding: “She cannot unilaterally decide we're in an impeachment inquiry.”
Impeachment is when a legislative body formally applies charges against the president. Beginning in impeachment inquiry does not mean automatic removal from office and is only the first step towards ejection.
Pelosi said that as a committee investigates the US president's phone call with the Ukrainian leader, six congressional committees investigating Trump on other matters will also continue under the umbrella of a formal impeachment inquiry.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
CNN says that while the overall outcome is uncertain, “we will almost certainly have a full House vote on whether Trump deserves to be impeached”.
Democrats hold a 235-197 majority in the House of Representative, giving them far more than the 218 votes required to impeach.
However, an impeachment inquiry would be unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled Senate.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Pelosi’s move came after a US intelligence whistle-blower accused the president of “multiple acts” of misconduct including making a secret promise to a foreign leader.
The whistle-blower has lodged a formal complaint about a phone call Trump made with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
Democrats say Trump threatened to withhold military aid to force Ukraine to investigate corruption allegations against former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
Although Trump has admitted discussing Biden with Zelensky, he said he was merely trying to get Europe to step up assistance by threatening to withhold military aid.
Taking to Twitter, Trump has promised to release a transcript of his conversation with Ukraine's president today to show it was “totally appropriate”.
The move towards an impeachment has been coming for some time but commencing an inquiry means a milestone has been passed. “The dam has broken. The genie is out of the bottle,” writes the BBC’s Anthony Zurcher.
USA Today points out that in a twist of fate, Trump is set to meet Zelensky in person today at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. All eyes will be on how the unpredictable president reacts in the days ahead.
-
Bonnie Blue: taking clickbait to extremes
Talking Point Channel 4 claims documentary on the adult performer's attention-grabbing sex stunts is opening up a debate
-
Broccoli and lentil salad with curried tahini and dates recipe
The Week Recommends Flavoursome and healthy, this creamy salad is perfect as part of a mezze
-
Sudoku hard: August 9, 2025
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
-
DHS preps for major ICE expansion, rankling local law enforcement
IN THE SPOTLIGHT As the Trump administration positions ICE as the primary federal police force, its recruitment efforts have been met with a less-than-enthusiastic response
-
JD Vance rises as MAGA heir apparent
IN THE SPOTLIGHT The vice president is taking an increasingly proactive role in a MAGA movement roiled by scandal and anxious about a post-Trump future
-
Congress should 'step in' to block Trump's White House ballroom makeover
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump's global tariffs take effect, with new additions
Speed Read Tariffs on more than 90 US trading partners went into effect, escalating the global trade war
-
Eighty years after Hiroshima: how close is nuclear conflict?
Today's Big Question Eight decades on from the first atomic bomb 'we have blundered into a new age of nuclear perils'
-
Epstein: A boon for Democrats?
Feature Democrats' push to release the Epstein files splits the GOP, sending the House into an early summer recess
-
India rejects Trump threat over Russian oil
Speed Read The president said he would raise tariffs on India for buying and selling Russian oil
-
Tariffs: Is Trump winning his trade war?
Feature Trump secures a new trade deal as Europe agrees to 15% tariffs